Seat especially for aeroplanes comprising an adjustable seating plate and a seatback

ABSTRACT

The seat comprises means for controlling movement of the seating plate ( 7 ) between a first extreme position (A) adapted to for small passengers, a second extreme position (B) adapted to tall passengers so that in all the positions, the distance d 1 , d 2 , d 3  between the seatback ( 6 ) and the front edge ( 7   a ) of the seating plate ( 7 ) corresponds to the distance between the base of the back and the hollow portion of the knee of the passengers, and simultaneously the distance (a 1 , a 2 , a 3 ) between the front edge ( 7   a ) of the seat plate and the floor ( 5 ) corresponds to the distance between the hollow portion of the knee and the sole of the foot of the passengers

[0001] The present invention concerns a seat especially for planes comprising a fixed structure on which an adjustable seat plate and a seatback are fixed.

[0002] There are a large number of types of aircraft seats.

[0003] Most of these seats have a seatback in which only inclination is adjustable between a normal position known as “landing-takeoff” position and a rest position in which the seatback is more inclined towards the rear.

[0004] On certain -seats, inclination of the seat plate is adjustable. In other cases, the seat back has an adjustable headrest.

[0005] The most sophisticated seats comprise an adjustable leg-rest extended by a foot-rest, also adjustable, so as to be adapted to the length of the legs of the passenger.

[0006] The size of adult aircraft passengers varies considerably.

[0007] So as to take account of this fact, in certain seats, the passenger can adjust the seat plate lengthwise and heightwise, as well as the seatback so as to take account of the length of his legs and trunk.

[0008] However, as the different adjustments are not synchronised together, the passengers find it difficult to find the optimal positions for the seat plate and the seatback.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to overcome this drawback by producing a seat whose seat plate is adjustable in a simple way so as to be able to be almost instantaneously adapted to most of the sizes of the passengers.

[0010] According to the invention, the seat, especially for aircraft, comprising a fixed structure to which an adjustable seat plate and a seatback are fixed is characterised in that it comprises first means for controlling movement of the seat plate between:

[0011] a first extreme position adapted to passengers of a predetermined small size,

[0012] a second extreme position adapted to passengers of a predetermined tall size,

[0013] the intermediate positions between the two extreme positions being adapted to passengers of middle size so that in all the positions:

[0014] the distance between the seatback and the front edge of the seat plate corresponds to the distance between the base of the back and the hollow portion of the knees of the passengers in a seated position on the seat, having the size corresponding to one of said positions, and simultaneously:

[0015] the distance between the front edge of the seat plate and the floor corresponds to the distance between the hollow portion of the knee and the sole of the feet of the passengers having the size corresponding to said position.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the seatback of the seat comprises a lumbar support which is fixed with respect to the seatback, and simultaneously adjustable by said first means with the seat plate so that in all positions, the distance between the seat plate and the centre of the lumbar support corresponds to the distance between the buttocks and the centre of the lumbar region of the passengers having the size corresponding to said position.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the adjustment of the lumbar support is independent of the adjustment of the seat plate.

[0018] Preferably, said extreme positions are determined so that the latter as well as the intermediate positions are adapted to about 95% of the sizes of the passengers.

[0019] According to one preferred version of the invention, the seat comprises in addition second means to simultaneously control the movement of the seatback and the seat plate between a first “takeoff and landing” position in which the seatback is slightly tilted backwards and the seat plate is slightly tilted downwards, and “rest” positions in which the seatback is more tilted backwards and the seat plate is more tilted downwards.

[0020] According to one advantageous version of the invention, said second control means are independent of said first control means so that activation of the second control means does not modify the adjustment obtained by activation of the first control means, adapted to the size of the passengers.

[0021] Other particular characteristics and advantages of the invention shall appear in the following description

[0022] Given by way of non-restrictive examples on the accompanying drawings:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical view showing the two extreme positions and an intermediate position of the seat according to a first embodiment, said seat being in the “landing-takeoff” position,

[0024]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the seat in other “rest” positions,

[0025]FIG. 3 is a diagram of the seat of FIG. 1 showing the various control elements of the latter,

[0026]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatical view showing the two extreme positions and one intermediate position of the seat according to a second embodiment, said seat being in the “landing -takeoff” position,

[0027]FIG. 5 is a diagram of the seat of FIG. 4 and showing the various control elements of the latter.

[0028] The aircraft plane seat comprises a fixed structure 1 including a hook-shaped element 2 and an element known as a foot, both elements crossing at a point 4.

[0029] A seatback 6 and an adjustable seat plate 7 are secured to the fixed structure 1.

[0030] In accordance with the invention, the seat comprises first means for controlling the movement of the seat plate 7 between:

[0031] a first extreme position A adapted to passengers of a small predetermined size,

[0032] a second extreme position B adapted to passengers of a tall predetermined size,

[0033] the intermediate positions, such as C, between the two extreme positions A, B being adapted to passengers having intermediate sizes so that in all the positions:

[0034] the distance d1, d2, d3 between the seatback 6 and the front edge 7 a of the seat plate 7 corresponds to the distance between the base of the back and the hollow portion of the knee of the passengers in a seated position on the seat and having the size corresponding to one of said positions and, simultaneously,

[0035] the distance a1, a2, a3 between the front edge 7 a of the seat plate 7 and the floor 5 corresponds to the distance between the hollow portion of the knee and the sole of the foot of the passengers having the size corresponding to said position.

[0036] The extreme positions A, B are determined so that the latter as well as the intermediate positions, such as C, are adapted to 95% of the sizes of passengers, namely sizes between about 1.61 m and 1.88 m.

[0037] According to a first embodiment shown on FIGS. 1 to 3, the seatback 6 includes a lumbar support 8 which is fixed with respect to said seatback and simultaneously adjustable by said first means with the seat plate so that in all the positions, the distance (b1, b2, b3) between the seat 7 and the centre of the lumbar support 8 corresponds to the distance between the buttocks and the centre of the lumbar zone of the passengers having the size corresponding to said position.

[0038] According to said first embodiment (see FIG. 3), the translation movement of the seatback 6 and that of the seat plate 7 are each guided by a slide 10, 11. The seatback 8 and the seat plate 7 can comprise two parallel slides forming a part of the structure of the seatback and the seat plate.

[0039] The movement for lifting the seat plate 7 is controlled by two fixed slides, such as the one designated by 12 adjacent to the front edge 7 a of the seat plate and cooperating with said front edge 7 a so as to slightly lift the latter during translation towards the front of the seat plate 7.

[0040] Each slide 12 can be embodied at the front of the fixed structure of the seat as shown on FIG. 3, with a tilt of approximately 45°.

[0041] The seat comprises close to the rear edge of the seat plate 7 and the lower edge of the seatback 6, an activator 13 whose outlet shaft 14 extends transversally with respect to the seat and bears an upper arm 15 fixed jointed by a connecting rod 16 to the body of the translation slide 10 of the seatback 6, and a lower arm 17 fixed jointed by means of another connecting rod 18 to the seat plate 7.

[0042] Moreover, the rod of the translation slide 10 of the seatback 6 is connected at its lower portion 19 to the body of a jack 20 whose rod is fixed jointed at 21 to the structure of the seat. The rod of the slide 10 is in addition integral with an arm 22 fixed jointed onto the outlet axis 14 of the activator 13, said arm 22 being extended towards the front by an extension 23 fixed jointed at 24 to the fixed structure of the seat.

[0043] According to a second embodiment shown on FIGS. 4 and 5, the seatback 6 of the seat does not include a lumbar support 8. According to said embodiment (see FIG. 4), only the seat plate is thus adjustable by the first control means.

[0044] According to this second embodiment (see FIG. 5), the translation movement of the seat plate 7 is guided by a slide 11.

[0045] The lifting movement of the seat plate 7 is controlled by two fixed slides, such as the one designated by 12 adjacent to the front edge 7 a of the seat plate and cooperating with said front edge 7 a so as to slightly lift the latter during translation towards the front of the seat plate 7.

[0046] According to said second embodiment, the seat plate 7 is telescopic. The seat 7 plate has its rear edge articulated around an axis 14 a integral with the seatback 6 and its front edge 7 a is arranged so as to slide upwards and towards the front with respect to the fixed structure 1.

[0047] The seat plate 7 comprises an activator 13, of axis 14 b, placed closed to the front edge 7 a of the seat plate 7. Said activator 13 is placed so as to ensure telescoping of the seat plate 7. To this effect, it comprises an activating pinion 30 a associated with a rack 30 b.

[0048] Moreover, the seatback 6 is linked to the body of a jack 20 whose rod is fixed articulated at 21 to the structure of the seat.

[0049] According to another embodiment (not shown), the seatback comprises a lumbar support 8 which is fixed with respect to the seatback 6 and able to be adjusted independently of the seat plate 7.

[0050] The activator 13 can be an electric motor or a manual control device.

[0051] The seat of the invention can further include an articulated leg-rest 9 articulated close to the front edge 7 a of the seat plate 7 able to be adjusted according to the size of the passengers and able to be have its inclination adjusted manually or by motorised means.

[0052] In addition, the seatback 6 can include a headback also able to be adjusted manually or by motorised means, possibly independently of the seatback 6, according to the size of the passengers.

[0053] The seat of the invention further comprises second means to simultaneously control the movement of the seatback 6 and seat plate 7 between a first said “takeoff and landing” position in which the seatback 6 is slightly tilted backwards and the seat plate is slightly tilted downwards, and said “rest” positions R1, R2, etc., in which the seat back 6 is more tilted towards the rear and the seat plate 7 is further tilted downwards.

[0054] Said positions are shown on FIG. 2 in which the seat is shown according to its first embodiment.

[0055] The second control means are independent of the first control means so that the activation of the second control means does not modify the adjustment of the position of the seat plate 7 and seatback 6 (first embodiment), or the adjustment of the seat plate (second embodiment) obtained by the activation of the first control means adapted to the size of the passenger.

[0056] In other words, the distances such as a1, a2, a3 ; b1, b2, b3 ; and d1, d2, d3 obtained by the first control means are not modified when tilting of the seatback and the seat plate is modified.

[0057] The functioning of the seat which has just been described shall now be explained in relation to the first embodiment of said seat shown on FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0058] A passenger of with a height equal for example to 1.75 m sits on the seat of the invention adjusted to the position A, that is adapted to those individuals whose height is only 1.61 m.

[0059] The passenger is then aware that the hollow portion of his knee is situated basically beyond and above the front edge 7 a of the seat plate 7 and that the lumbar support 8 is situated too low down.

[0060] The passenger then activates the activator 13 which moves the slides 10 and 11.

[0061] The seatback 6 then moves upwards and the seat plate moves to the front.

[0062] The rotation of the shaft 14 of the activator 13 lifts the rear part of the seat plate 7 backwards whereas the front of the latter is lifted up by means of the tilted slide 12.

[0063] The passenger stops operating the means for controlling the movement of the seatback 6 and the seat plate 7 when he has found the optimal position corresponding to his height of 1.75 m.

[0064] This optimal position approximately corresponds to the intermediate position C shown on FIG. 1.

[0065] In said position, the sole of the feet of the passenger rests onto the floor 5. The hollow portion of his knees is in support without going beyond the front edge 7 a of the seat plate 7.

[0066] The lumbar support 8 occupies the correct position with respect to the lumbar vertebrae of the back of the passenger.

[0067] From the above-mentioned “landing-takeoff” position, the passenger can select the rest positions R1, R2, etc,. shown on FIG. 2.

[0068] When the seatback 6 and the seat plate 7 respectively move backwards and downwards, the front edge 7 a does not move so that the hollow portion of the knee stays in the ideal position.

[0069] During said movement to a “rest” position, the tilting of the seatback 6 backwards and the tilting of the seat 7 downwards is controlled by the jack 20 of the shaft.

[0070] The functioning of the seat according to the second embodiment is similar to the one which has just been described, except for the adjustment of the lumbar support 8, which is not provided in said embodiment.

[0071] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment examples which have just been described and many modifications can be made without departing from the context of the invention.

[0072] Thus, the passenger could have on the seat a keyboard able to display his height and also an electronic circuit automatically controlling the movement of the seatback and the seat plate towards the position corresponding to the displayed height.

[0073] From said position, the passenger would be able to refine the adjustments so as to find the optimal position.

[0074] Moreover, the jack 20, which controls the tilting of the seatback and the seat plate, thus allowing adjustment of the “comfort” position, can be a linear motor or a mechanical jack.

[0075] The invention can be applied to any type of seat, other than aircraft seats and in particular seats for motor vehicles. 

1. Seat especially for aircraft comprising a fixed structure (1) to which are fixed an adjustable seat plate (7) and a seatback (6), characterised in that it comprises first means for controlling the movement of the seat plate (7) between: a first extreme position (A) adapted to passengers of a predetermined small size, a second extreme position (B) adapted to passengers of a predetermined tall size, the intermediate positions (C) between the two extreme positions (A, B) being adapted to passengers of intermediate sizes so that in any position: the distance (d1, d2, d3) between the seatback (6) and the front edge (7 a) of the seat plate (7) corresponds to the distance between the base of the back and the hollow portion of the knee of the passengers in a seated position on the seat, said passengers having the size corresponding to one of said positions and simultaneously: the distance (a1, a2, a3) between the front edge (7 a) of the seat plate and the floor (5) corresponds to the distance between the hollow portion of the knee and the sole of the feet of the passengers having the size corresponding to said position.
 2. Seat according to claim 1, characterised in that the seatback (6) comprises a lumbar support (8) which is fixed with respect to said seatback (6) and able to be adjusted by said first means simultaneously with the seat plate (7) so that in any position, the distance (b1, b2, b3) between the seat plate (7) and the centre of the of the lumbar support (8) corresponds to the distance between the buttocks and the centre of the lumbar zone of the passengers having the size corresponding to said position.
 3. Seat according to claim 2, characterised in that the translation movement of the seatback (6) and that of the seat plate (7) are each guided by a slide (10, 11).
 4. Seat according to claim 3, characterised in that it includes close to the rear edge of the seat plate (7) and the lower edge of the seatback (6) an activator (13) whose outlet shaft (14) extends transversally with respect to the seat and bears a upper arm (15) linked articulated by a connecting rod (16) to the body of the translation slide (10) of the seatback, and a lower arm (17) linked articulated by another connecting rod (18) to the seat plate (7).
 5. Seat according to claim 1, characterised in that the seat plate (7) is telescopic and has its rear edge articulated around an axis (14a) integral with the seatback (6) and its front edge (7 a) placed so as to slide upwards and toward the front with respect to the fixed structure (1), said seat plate comprising an activator (13) arranged so as to ensure the telescoping of the seat plate (7).
 6. Seat according to claim 5, characterised in that the activator (13) is placed close to the front edge (7 a) of the seat plate (7) and includes an activating pinion (30 a) associated with a rack (30 b).
 7. Seat according to claim 1 or 6, characterised in that the seatback (6) includes a lumbar support (8) which is fixed with respect to said seatback (6) and able to be adjusted independently of the seat plate (7).
 8. Seat according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterised in that the lifting movement of the seat plate (7) is controlled by two fixed slides (12) adjacent to the front edge (7 a) of the seat plate and cooperating with this front edge so as to lift the latter during translation towards the front of the seat plate (7) with a tilting of about 45°.
 9. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said extreme positions (A, B) are determined so that the latter as well as the intermediate positions are adapted to about 95% of the heights of the passengers.
 10. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it further includes second means to simultaneously control movement of the seatback (6) and the seat plate (7) between a first “landing and takeoff” position in which the seatback is slightly slanted towards the rear and the seat plate (7) is slightly slanted downwards, and “rest” positions (R1, R2, . . . ) in which the seatback (6) is further tilted backwards and the seat plate (7) is further tilted downwards.
 11. Seat according to claim 10, characterised in that said second control means are independent of said first control means so that the activation of the second control means does not modify the adjustment obtained by the activation of the first control means adapted to the size of the passenger.
 12. Seat according to claim 11, characterised in that the seatback (6) is connected at its lower portion to the body of a jack (20) whose rod is fixed articulated to the structure (1) of the seat.
 13. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the control means are manual or motorised.
 14. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the seatback (6) comprises a manually or motorised adjustable headback, possibly independently of the seatback (6), according to the size of the passengers.
 15. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that it includes a leg-rest (9) able to be adjusted to the size of the passengers and whose inclination can be adjusted manually or by motorised means. 